The Vancouver Volcanoes fell to the Salem Capitals 116-113 on Sunday Evening, suffering their first loss of the 2024 season. 

Volcanoes’ player of the game Tyshon Pickett had a near
double-double with 20 points and 9 rebounds, in an efficient 8-12 from the field. Team Captain Markus Golder chipped in with 20 points and 7 rebounds, and Thomas Miles contributed 25 points along with 7 rebounds off the bench. 

On the Capital’s side, Joseph Bellinger Jr. put up 27 points, four assists, and four rebounds, with fellow guards Isaiah Gentry and Davonte Cleveland each contributing 15 points and 19 points respectively.

The game opened up with Salem securing an early lead of 9-2 within the first couple of minutes, and for the most part, Salem held onto a strong lead for much of the game. Salem and
Vancouver traded baskets for much of the first half, despite a strong showing from the Volcanoes’ Pickett and Miles, each with 9 points at the half. 

The last half of the third quarter heading into the fourth quarter is really where things began to pick up for Portland, with Thomas Miles leading the way with 16 second-half points. A crafty euro step by Forward Elijah Ford gave Vancouver a lead of 101-100, but Gentry and Cleveland’s late-game heroics proved too much for Vancouver to handle, as they eventually fell 116-113.

Vancouver and Salem were neck and neck for much of the statistical categories, however, the turning point in this game was overall completion from beyond the arc. Vancouver shot 8/34 (23%) from distance, while Salem shot 17/39 (43%). The Volcanoes will look to bounce back against the Great Falls Electric on March 17th at home and fall to 3-1 on the season.